Modern Spies: Honey Traps and James Bonds | BBC Documentary

Modern Spies is a documentary series presented by Peter Taylor. The series sees Peter taking a look at the real world of modern spies. For the first time on television, British secret agents talk about their work.

So how close are real spies to the Bournes and the Bonds? In this two-part series BBC investigative journalist Peter Taylor finds out when he looks at the world of the modern day secret agent. From James Bond to Spooks, from Jason Bourne to Tinker Tailor, spying is big box office business. Its vocabulary has become familiar to us all, from 'stings' and 'moles' to 'dead letter drops' and 'honey traps'.

The fact is that the image of such operations as depicted on the big and small screens - and in airport blockbusters too - is firmly rooted in reality. The 'tradecraft' is common to both the fictional and real world of spying.

But how much of what we see is a realistic depiction? The filmmaker had unprecedented access to serving officers from MI5 (the UK domestic security service) and MI6 (the UK overseas secret Intelligence Service), as well as FBI and CIA employees - the only stipulation being that their names were changed and they weren't allowed to discuss specific operations or policy issues.

Thanks for posting Sabre. Is that the 2 parts in that video?

I`m glad you enjoyed it Ted, I found it quite interesting on an obviously tricky subject. Thanks for reminding me about part 2 , I didn`t get around to posting it  

Modern Spies Part II

Watched part I. Will watch part II tonight.
A bit disappointed with part I...

Part two focuses mainly on the threat from Islamic Terrorism both here and overeas.
I know what you mean, but bare in mind it is from the BBC (PC) and about a very secretive subject, the Government wouldn`t even officially admit to the existence of MI5 and 6 until around 15/20 years ago

Sabre wrote:Part two focuses mainly on the threat from Islamic Terrorism both here and overeas.
I know what you mean, but bare in mind it is from the BBC (PC) and about a very secretive subject, the Government wouldn`t even officially admit to the existence of MI5 and 6 until around 15/20 years ago

Yes you are right, it is quite an improvement compared to many years ago.